Tunnel.



J. E. MEYER.

TUNNEL- APPLICATION FILED APR.1.1911. 1,004,889. Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

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TUNNEL.

APPLICATION FILED APR.1,1911.

1,094,889. Patented 001:. 3,1911.

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JOHN E. MEYnaQor SHEPHERD, MICHIGAN,

TUNNEL.

To all whom it may concernr Be it known that I, JOHN E. MEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at- Shepherd, in the county of Isabella and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Tunnel; and I do hereby declare the following to be a "full, clear, and exact de scription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to Which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention pertains to a new and useful subaqueous tunnel.

The primary object of theinvention is to improve the general construction of such dcviees, thus rendering them more efiicient and practicable in building a tunnel, crossing a body of Water so as to construct a tunnel. from the surface of the earth 01' Water Without the process of underground tunnel driving. Two or more tunnels can be built side by side, using same trench. In the drawings, however, there is only disclosed one form of the present invention, but in practical. fields this form may require alterations to which the applicant isentitled, provided the aiterations'are comprehended by the ap pended claims.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings, and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in section through a body of Water and the land on each side thereof, in order to show a trench, before, the tubing and masonry constituting the tunnel is arranged in position. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the tubing and masonry at each end of the trench arranged in position, and further showing a boat or the like floating in the Water including. means for placing the metal tubes and for depositing the masonrv' or concrete around the central portion of the tubing below the surface of the Water. Fig; 1 3 is a transverse sectional View on an enlarged scale on line 3+3 of Fig. 2'. 4 is a view of the structure for holding the central portion of the, tubing in position While the masonry is being deposited around the same and. below the surface of the Water.

Referring moreespecially to the draw ings, 1 d i V the. tubing 2- and the masonry 3. The tubing 2 is constructed in sections 3, 4-, and 5, which are telescooicall united thew are provided L a a Specification of Letters iat ent. Application filed April 1, 1911.

added to the bases is deposited ranged. around the tubing as shown in Fig.

side of the body i nates the trench for receiving Serial No.. 618,422.

Patented Oct. 3, on;

with slots and bolt or sleeve connections 7";

and 8, thus providing means for allowing expansion and contraction.

Before the tubing is placed in position, a* base of cement masonry 9 and 10 is constructed at each end of the tunnel, on each side of the body of Water 11. After the bases 9 and 10 are constructed a frame '12 composed of the side boards 13 and the piers or beams let, is arranged in the trench. The

piers or beams let constitute means for supporting the central portion of the tubing, While the bases 9 and 10 of masonry support each end of the tubing. The side boards or trench 13 are designed for the purpose of holding the cement masonry in place and about the metal tubing that 'is, its central portion especially when the masonry 15 is being deposited below the surface of the Water. The piers or beams 14 and the side boards 13 are rigidly connected.

To deposit the tubing and cement masonry 15 between the side boards or trench 13 and about the tubing, that is, its central portion, a float boat or the like is employed. This float or boat is designated by the character 16, on which the usual form of concrete or cement masonry mixing device 17 is arranged.

The particular design or construction of mixer does not form any particular part of this application, only that it is the purpose of the invention to have some form of mixer.

After the metal tubing has been arranged in the trench, the earth 18 is deposited around the same, as shown in Fig. 2, after which additional cement masonry 19 is the tunnel. Hoivever, before the earth 18 in position, masonry 20 is arrrtter the tunnel has been so far con structed, the float or boat with its mixer, including a. hollow depositing tube 21, (which extends approximately between. the sideboards ortrcnch) is started from one of Water to the other, in

order to deposit a mixture of cement and stone or the like around the central portion 'of the tubing.

Enough masonry to give Weight and strength must be placed around the tunnel tubes to hold them in place, when -"ater is. removed for finishing the inside ofthe tunnel. Where conditions will allow,

9 and 10, at each end of.

tcofi'er dams can be built on each side of the proposed tunnel trench and water removed, for the excavating and placing of the tunnel tubes and masonry.

From the foregoing, it Will be observed that there has been a novel subaqueous tunnel devised, and one Whiclris simple, efiicient and practical in construction, and which will remain permanently for substantially an indefinite period.

The invention having been set forth, What is claimed as new and useful, is:

1. In combination, a sectional tube arranged in a trench transversely of a body of Water, and telescopically united, said sections having at the points of unition means foipermitting the contraction and expani sion, a base of masonry for supporting each end of the tubing, a frame comprising side-- boards and transversely arranged piers or beams for supporting the central portion of the tubing, and masonry surrounding the nooaeee entire tubing between the bases at the ends of side boards and transversely arranged piers for supporting the central portion of the tubing, the bases and piers constituting means for spacing the tubing from thebottom of the trench, said piers having depressions to receive the tubing andacovermg of cement completely surrounding the entire tubing from end to end.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

' JOHN E. MEYER.

\Vitnesses M. ANDERSON, K. E. S'rnuBLE. 

